Welcome to this week's themed blog posts. Yes, there will be a theme throughout the week and, yes, I do plan on writing something (even if it's a paragraph or two) every day this week. I am kicking off the post-a-thon with Britt Nicole's "Gold" because it goes perfectly with this week's theme... and I am always looking for an excuse to post music on this blog. ;)
"So what is the theme?" you may be asking yourself. Well, a lyric from the song I've chosen describes it best: "whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold."
On Twitter and Facebook I've seen so many pointless arguments in which we (I am including myself in it even though I don't partake in them) sling mud back and forth. I've also seen really depressing posts and tweets in which people who have been hurt and trampled on begin to believe the horrible lies others have said about them. For example: "you're worthless," "you're ugly," "you're fat," "you're stupid," etc results in "I guess they were right." No, they weren't.
In an effort to combat all the negativity, I've decided to write a week full of positive posts. It hurts me to see so many friends and acquaintances suffering and this is the only thing I feel I can do (besides praying for them and talking to them individually). And I'm not doing it lightly. I'm going to be writing about issues which I am sure some of you would've never thought I would dare write about... but I am. I won't single anyone out. I will put my own personal touch to it, as well as bring in some guest bloggers for some of them, so that no one feels like I'm talking about them specifically. Just read and I hope that it helps you if the topic particularly touches you. :D
Anyway, just a heads up. :) I'm still trying to limit my time alone so I'm going to go clean my room now that I have stocked up on cleaning supplies. Yes, I get my kicks cleaning. Judge me if you want. ;)
I hope you all have a great week this week. :) If you have any prayer requests, let me know. :)
Thank you, Rose of A Rose in Bloom, for the Anti-Muffin Award. So, what exactly is the Anti-Muffin Award all about? Rose created it and gave it to bloggers "who are decidedly "Anti-Muffins". Bloggers who promote what they believe without hesitation and without fear of possible negative feedback. Bloggers who don't conform to the world's standards." I hope I do the award justice. I certainly don't shy away from writing about what I believe, fully knowing that I have friends who read this blog regularly and who have the opposite beliefs I do regarding certain social issues. I don't do it to get a rise out of anyone; I just write what I'm discovering on this lifelong journey as a faithful Roman Catholic.
I'd like to pass along this award to the following bloggers: - Rebecca of Modestia and Catholic in Film School, for continuing her great work to help promote modesty in fashion. She definitely shows us young women that it IS possible to find great clothing that won't compromise our beliefs.
- Clare of The Catholic Young Woman (formerly A Maiden's Wreath) for, like Rebecca, helping promote modesty and not being ashamed of the fact. We need more women like this.
- Monique of Catholic Chicks, for helping empower Catholic women of all ages by using different mediums.
- Claire Christina of Musings of a Twentysomething, for being one of the most faithful, and traditional, young women I've met. Next time you're in L.A., we'll definitely work out the transportation issues. :D
- Joe of Verbum Veritatis, not only for being a great friend and coming to Mass with me the day after my father passed away (sorry about all those liturgical abuses, I can't control those!) but for sharing his discernment journey... as well as calling out all the liturgical abuses we often see in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. btw, he's so far the only one that can confirm the fact that I wear mantillas to Mass. :D
- Fr. Austin Murphy of Jesus Goes to Disney World, for continuing to bring the Catholic faith and pop culture together to help better understand our faith to young people everywhere. btw, Happy Belated birthday, Fr. Austin!
And, though the following don't blog/update as often as the rest of us, I'd like to pass it on to the following because, on a personal level, I know how deep their faith runs and how they never shy away from speaking out about their faith: - Delaney of Hat Full of Hope - Andrew of Per Fidem
Hooray for Anti-Muffins everywhere! lol.
I promise not to make this post any longer so I will just say that I am bringing back Music Mondays! I will continue to spotlight an artist that make good, positive music for everyone instead of "selling out" and doing what they think will help them sell more records to the masses. This week's artist is Britt Nicole.
While Britt Nicole may not be Catholic, she is still a hardworking Christian artist that allows her music to speak out on her faith. Her latest album, The Lost Get Found, will be out tomorrow but you can listen to her album for free (thanks to Sparrow Record) before it hits stores tomorrow. Just like her first album, Say It, tracks include songs that inspire young women not to be afraid to speak out on their faith and their love of God.
This is the first single, and title track, off her latest album, and is also the perfect example of the kind of message she tries to send others.
Alright, that's all for now. I want to get back to this book I'm reading (and hoping to do a completely honest review of it; I won't be kind...) so I can get up a new entry soon. I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. :) As always, thanks for reading and God Bless. :D
Just a quick Music Monday update because I'm running on empty. LONG day full of homework, 6 a.m. wake up call, so many errands and meetings I had to taken -- I'm exhausted. I WILL hopefully have a new blog post tomorrow though. For now, a fun little music meme I saw on Lady of the Rose's blog and, of course, the Youtube video of the week. :D
1. Set your iTunes, iPod, Windows Media Player to shuffle. 2. Copy and paste the questions into a new post and erase my answers. 3. Answer each question with the next song that comes up. 4. Post your results! And feel free to add a comment underneath each answer!
If someone says "Is this okay?" You say: "The Battle" by Harry Gregson-Williams. (Interesting.)
How would you describe yourself? "Give Me Words to Speak" by Aaron Shust (If you know the lyrics, you know this is right on the money.)
What do you like in a guy/girl? "Sentiment" by the Tord Gustavsen Trio (Haha, yes... to a certain extent.)
How do you feel today? "Unexpectedly" by Misha Williams (Yes!)
What's your life purpose? "Darcy's Letter" by Jean-Yves Thibaudet (To be a writer? *hopes*)
What do your friends think of you? "Another Dance" by Jean-Yves Thibaudet (Haha. Well, I am a dancing machine...)
What do your parents think of you? "Say It" by Britt Nicole (Lyrics wise, I would say it's accurate.)
What do you often think about? "Volare" by Manuel Granada (Yes, I'm constantly dreaming of flying to different places.)
What do you think about the person you like? "Sayuri's Theme (Live Version)" by John Williams & Yo-Yo Ma (Hm... *shrugs* Darn the instrumental tracks!)
What is your life's story? "Georgiana" by Jean-Yves Thibaudet (If you've read Pride and Prejudice, you can make up your own conclusion to how Georgiana can relate to me... 'cause I don't see it.)
What do you want to be when you grow up? "Can't Slow Down" by Jean-Yves Thibaudet (A roadrunner? Hmm... I haven't thought about it before. Can I drop an anvil on a coyote?)
What will they play at your funeral? "The Blitz" by Harry Gregson-Williams. (I'll be terrorizing people? *raises eyebrow*)
What is your biggest fear? "Cherokee" by Charlie Barnett (Don't think so.)
What is your biggest secret? "Chasing Pavements" by Adele ("Should I give up? Or should I just keep chasing pavements, even if they lead nowhere?"
What do you think of your friends? "Rusty Halo" by The Script (Haha. Hmm... "Now I'm looking at the Bible, trying to find a loophole..." You know who you are and why this is true. Ahem. :P)
What is your future going to be like? "Outside" by Aqualung (Does this mean I'll be constantly traveling? *she hopes*)
What do you see in the person you like? "Raggle Taggle Gypsy" by Celtic Thunder (Irishness? lol. Wait, is that even a word? Hmm... it is now.)
What will the song be for you and your spouse? "Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)" by Jack Jezzro And Friends (The lyrics are nice enough...)
Well, that was interesting. Not one of my better ones (I've done this before), but perfectly acceptable AND a good way to take a break from homework induced stress. :D
The song I've chosen for today's Music Monday is "Set the World on Fire" by Britt Nicole. Good song, great lyrics... and I promise the guys the next one won't be as girly. Guys have given this song a good review but some say Britt's music is "too girly". Whatever. lol. :D Hear and decide for yourselves.
Okay, now I am off to bed... right after I finish an application I have to send to my school tomorrow. :D I promise to write a legit blog soon. :D As always, thanks for reading and God Bless. .
Sorry the gaps have started again. I've been busy packing, unpacking, catching up with old friends, traveling (including a mini roadtrip I took today with one of my favorite men -- and it made me appreciate him SO MUCH more because of everything he did for me today) and working on my novel. In other words: I wish there were more hours in the day.
The good news is that I have been feeling slightly better and I hope it continues. I've been able to keep the dreaded Writer's Block at bay (whoo!). Britt Nicole's album has become the soundtrack to my novel... unexpectedly. I'm also on a Jane Austen kick to re-awaken my inner Janeite and it's been helping me with my novel. (Side note: I usually like Austen inspired films but wasn't too happy with the 1999 version of Manfield Park. *shrugs*)
I've found myself saying the Rosary in public more and more often, mainly because it relaxes me and I've been in pretty stressful situations so that's why I've been doing it. Hopefully other fellow Catholics will say the Rosary more often, which is why I don't mind when people stare at me when I'm praying.
Oh, and hey, Liverpool FC beat Arsenal and are onto the semi-finals of the Champions League... just like last year (only they beat Barcelona last year)! I actually missed the game because I wasn't home during it, and actually got home pretty late so I didn't get a chance to even watch a re-run. Oh well, I am proud of my Red men for achieving yet another semi in the CL. The games against Chelsea will be good, and I will be praying that we go all the way to the finals. :D
And that is all for now. I've been up since earlier than I've gotten in a while and all that sitting in the car for hours has worn me out. I won't even mention the traffic. lol.
Hopefully I'll have a good, long post soon... if things slow down long enough for me to be able to, that is.
Alright, well... as always, thanks for reading and God Bless. :D
I received very exciting news today... I got re-accepted to the only college I applied to for transfer. I originally got accepted last Fall to enter this past January but illness kept me out so I had to re-apply to get re-accepted. I had a bunch of problems this time around -- most likely because there are so many applicants to enter in the Fall. I submitted all my transcripts and other things almost 2 months ago (would've been 2 months in 2 days) but they had problems getting it into the system and didn't get a decision up until early today (it's still Thursday here). I actually got a call from my new counselor to tell me the news because I'd been bugging me about my admission status for a while now. Haha. Well, I am relieved that I will have a place to continue my Religious Studies education. I'm so happy that I'll be able to focus on Catholicism and take courses such as "Spiritual Journey of Women." It just feels like I'm going in the right direction and I am sure it'll help me further along with my writing. And, speaking of writing, I'll also be studying Creative Writing (which is my minor) so I'm lucky that I can study what I truly love. :D I am already thinking about my senior thesis, although it's 2 years until I get there but I have an idea of what I want my thesis to be about. Hint, it involves St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross and St. Augustine amongst other saints.
I will also be able to take music courses if I like. I love music. Plain as that. I've loved music since I was a baby. In fact, I carried around a toy guitar because I wanted a real one but was too little for it. I've explored almost every genre known to man but I've felt more connected to classical and jazz. I came into those on my own, without anyone introducing me to those genres. Lately I've been exploring a bit of Christian music, which I've felt a bit uncomfortable with before. I don't know why I just couldn't really get into it before. Then came along Mute Math and Britt Nicole and I've been slowly exploring other artists. I don't know why I was hesitant to give it a try before. I still don't like all the artists I come across but that's natural in every genre. I don't love all jazz artists though I do a majority of it. I can't sit through some classical songs. I've re-discovered some artists which I didn't know where Christian in the first place and I am digging it. lol. If anyone has other artist they'd like to recommend, please leave me a comment with the names.
And, speaking a bit more about music... I just watched the first episode of MTV's "Rock the Cradle." Now, I don't like MTV because we all know what kinds of shows are on there and how some of them are just... *shudders*. I tuned it mainly because I was curious to see the offspring of different artists perform. I was impressed with some... not so much with others. I LOVED Lucy Walsh and Crosby Loggins. Lucy deserved her score but I felt Crosby should've taken the top spot. I loved his voice and thought the Elvis Costello song was a great choice for him. If either don't win this thing, I won't be a happy camper. If I tune to that *shudders* channel again, it'll only be to watch an episode of this show and once it's over, good luck trying to get me to watch it again.
One more thing for I end this entry (it's past midnight and I still have a few things to do before I fall asleep)... I am SO happy that the MLS Season has finally started. Last week was the first week of this season and poor L.A. Galaxy crashed and burned. To be fair, Landon Donovan and Becks hadn't had much time to rest from international duty so it was understandable why they didn't do too well. The rest of the team... they lacked hustel. Carlos Ruiz did well but ended up getting injured when that idiot took him down (he's now out for 4-6 weeks). Last night's game... SO MUCH better. It was the Galaxy that I missed seeing. We totally deserved to win this game and am happy Becks and Landon got their goals. In this house, there's only 2 Galaxy players we honestly root for -- Becks and Landon. I also like Gordon and Klein but Becks and Landon are the only ones dad and I agree on.
It's the same with Liverpool -- we can only agree on two players: Gerrard and Torres. Dad's a Crouch fan, I'm a massive Agger fan. We both think Babel's good but sometimes we aren't too sure about him. Give us the rest of this season to make our decision. And, speaking of my Red men... I am so glad they got that away goal at Arsenal during the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals. I am hoping and will definitely pray that they advance to the semi's and final. If there's one competition I look forward to the most at the beginning of this season, it's the Champions League. The Premier League's great too but the CL is my favorite because you get the top teams of other European leagues as well. Does anyone know the patron saint of sports or athletes? I've always wanted to know but haven't quite figured out.
Alright, well, it's nearly half past midnight and need to read a couple of pages in St. Teresa's autobiography among other things. I have a pretty early day today so, I need to get to bed as soon as I possibly can.
For anyone who's ever gotten new glasses, you know how terrible the first couple of days are. I've worn glasses for a few years now but every time I get a new prescription, I always feel drunk for about 3 days. Oh, and I'm assuming this is how you'd feel if you were drunk. I've technically only had a sip of wine twice at Mass (you know, the blood of Christ) but that's as far as my experience with alcohol goes. lol. Anyway, oy... it stinks. Hopefully I won't be too dizzy tomorrow for Mass.
No, I would still go if I were dizzy. Hopefully I make it through the entire hour without getting sick. *crosses fingers* I believe a prayer to St. Jude will be said tonight in hopes that tomorrow morning I will be good for Mass. :D I was going to go to confessions today but then I thought about whether or not last Sunday is still considered a sin. I mean, I had every intention of attending mass and I did make it for about 2 minutes before I got sick. Is it still a sin that I didn't get to attend the entire thing? Hmm... that is something to ask one of the priests tomorrow. Another reason why no confessions today... the car is being repaired as I type this out (I would normally be at church at this time). Oh well, in the meantime, I will be listening to Britt Nicole's debut album.
Last summer, while browsing iTunes, I discovered this young lady's album which is awesome! It's not really the type of music I'd normally listen to (I'm a jazz/classical girl) but I can't help but love her album. She's a Christian artist so you can hear her talking about God in the lyrics but it's not overwhelming. That's the thing about Christian music. First off, I am not going to knock it. I do like some Christian artists but I tend to stay away from the genre in general because sometimes I'm a little overwhelmed with the music. If I listen to religious music, I stick to things like Andrea Bocelli's "Ave Maria" or Gregorian Chants. That's my thing. Anyway, back to Britt Nicole... I think her demographic might be a bit younger than I am (oh man, I just made myself feel old; I'm 22 for Pete's sake! lol) but I still connect with the lyrics. There is one particular song, "Ready", that I listened to for the first time in a couple of weeks and it really hit home. I've been in the process of letting go of all the negative experiences I had with former friends -- a lot of them extremely painful. This song is pretty much my anthem is at the moment because it describes how I feel. I'm going to put a youtube video a fan made with the lyrics to her song:
See? not my type of music but still awesome nonetheless. I just got the urge to yell "Girl Power!"... which I haven't done since I was about 11 years old and was on a Spice Girls kick. lol. Seriously, though, if you're into this kind of music, definitely check out her album. She has a great voice, sings songs that actually mean something (and aren't some bubblegum pop manufactured stinkers) and she seems like a down-to-earth person. :)
Alright, well Britt's album (along with Becoming Jane, which put my gears in motion) have been inspiring me to get to work on my novel so that is precisely what I will do until I have to eat dinner. Until next time, thanks for reading and God Bless. :D
